Your First 6 Weeks Postpartum Recovery Plan – Movement + Mindset

August 25, 2025

If you’ve just welcomed your baby into the world, first, congratulations! Whether your birth was exactly how you planned or took a completely different turn, the first six weeks after delivery are unlike anything else you’ve experienced.

Your days might be a blur of feedings, diaper changes, and trying to squeeze in moments of rest. Your emotions might be all over the place, your body feels different, and you might be wondering…

“Is there anything I should be doing right now for my recovery?”

The truth? These first few weeks are not about “bouncing back.” They’re about honoring your body, giving it time to heal, and gently reconnecting with yourself, physically and mentally.

At ABC Fit Collective, we guide our postpartum mamas through these first six weeks with one clear message: rest, recover, reconnect . And when you feel ready, there are gentle ways to support your healing through mindful movement.

Why the First Six Weeks Matter

Birth, whether vaginal or by C-section, is a major physical event. Even if everything went smoothly, it’s still considered a form of trauma to the body that requires time, care, and attention to heal.

Your pelvic floor, abdominal muscles, ligaments, and even your breathing patterns have been affected by pregnancy and birth. Hormones like relaxin are still circulating, keeping your joints looser than normal. Add in disrupted sleep, constant caregiving, and fluctuating emotions, and it’s clear why pushing your body too soon is not the answer.

Instead, these early weeks are about reconnecting, learning to breathe fully again, finding gentle movements that feel good, and creating a mindset that supports healing over hustle.

Step 1: Start with Breathwork

One of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do in these early weeks is to return to deep, intentional breathing.

During pregnancy, your growing belly shifts how your diaphragm and ribcage move. After birth, you may notice shallow chest breathing or tension in your shoulders and neck. Restoring a full, 360° breath helps reawaken your core and pelvic floor connection from the inside out.

Two easy positions to try:

  • On your back : Lie comfortably with knees bent. Inhale deeply through your nose, feeling your ribcage expand out and your belly gently rise. As you exhale, imagine lifting your pelvic floor and drawing your belly inward and upward toward your spine.
  • On all fours : Hands under shoulders, knees under hips. Let your belly fully relax on the inhale. On the exhale, gently lift the lowest part of your belly toward your ribcage while engaging your pelvic floor.

Even a few minutes of this each day can help you reconnect with your deep core and start to restore function.

Step 2: Gentle Pelvic Tilts

Once you feel comfortable with breathwork, you can add in small, controlled pelvic movements to improve mobility and circulation.

How to do them:

  • On your back : Knees bent, feet flat. Slowly rock your pelvis forward (slight arch in the lower back) as you inhale, and tilt it back (pressing your lower spine toward the floor) as you exhale. Think of this like doing cat cow while lying on your back.
  • On hands and knees : Transition to a gentle cat-cow, linking your breath with the movement. Inhale to let your belly drop and lift your tailbone, exhale to round your spine slightly, and tuck your tailbone under.

This movement is simple but effective for reintroducing your spine and pelvis to gentle motion without strain.

Step 3: Focus on Alignment in Everyday Life

Even if you’re not officially “working out” yet, you are moving constantly, feeding, changing, lifting, carrying, and bending. The way you move during these daily activities has a big impact on your recovery.

A few alignment tips to protect your healing body:

  • Keep your shoulders stacked over your ribcage , and your ribcage stacked over your pelvis.
  • Avoid clenching your glutes or tucking your pelvis under when standing.
  • Resist the urge to flare your ribs forward or slouch into your chest - both can put pressure on your core and pelvic floor.
  • When lifting, bend your knees, keep the object close to your body, and exhale as you lift.

These small adjustments help reduce strain, encourage better posture, and make everyday movements part of your healing plan.

Step 4: Mindset; Ditch the “Bounce Back”

Before any movement happens, your recovery starts with your mindset.

There’s a lot of noise out there about “getting your body back.” At ABC Fit, we want to remind you: your body never left . It has carried you through pregnancy, birth, and now into motherhood. It’s worthy of your respect, not criticism.

Healing is not linear. You might feel great one day and completely drained the next, both are normal. Your energy, emotions, and progress will ebb and flow. Rest is not laziness; it’s productive and necessary for long-term recovery.

Give yourself permission to move slowly. Focus on feeling good, not meeting a timeline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the First 6 Weeks

While every postpartum journey is unique, there are a few common pitfalls that can slow your recovery:

  1. Jumping back into high-impact workouts too soon . Your core and pelvic floor need time to heal before running, jumping, or heavy lifting.
  2. Ignoring discomfort . Pain, heaviness, or leaking urine are signs to slow down and seek guidance.
  3. Neglecting breathwork . Breath is the foundation of core and pelvic floor healing.
  4. Poor lifting mechanics . Carrying baby gear without proper alignment can strain your healing tissue. We once had a client who discovered that carrying her baby in the baby carrier was actually causing her pelvic floor discomfort.
  5. Comparing your journey to others . Everybody heals at a different pace.

Avoiding these mistakes can help you feel better and recover more effectively.

Daily Movement Tips for New Moms

Even in the early weeks, small intentional actions can help your recovery:

  • Set up a feeding station . Keep essentials within reach to avoid awkward twisting or hunching while feeding your baby.
  • Do “breathing breaks.” Every few hours, pause for 3–5 deep, 360° breaths to reset your posture and core connection.
  • Use your exhale to lift . Whether it’s your baby, a car seat, or laundry, breathe out as you lift to protect your core.
  • Alternate sides . Switch which arm you carry your baby on to reduce asymmetries and tension.
  • Stay hydrated . Water supports healing, milk production, and muscle recovery.

These tips turn your everyday activities into recovery-friendly movement.

The Bottom Line

Your first six weeks postpartum are a time to honor your body, nurture your mind, and connect with your baby. With a focus on breath, gentle movement, alignment, and a compassionate mindset, you can lay a strong foundation for the months ahead.

And remember, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

💛 Ready to start moving with confidence again? Try the Core Restore program today and get expert guidance for every stage of your postpartum journey.

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